Block diagram of a smart grid system illustrates the co-existence of remote and distributed (local) generation, energy management, and flexible consumption. Such an ecosystem is called the smart grid, which is the future of modern energy generation and transmission systems. (Source: Texas Instruments)

This is a well written introduction. BUt I would challenge the assertion thatan electric vehicle allows independance, since the opposite is true. An electric vehicle is totoally at the mercy of the grid for recharging, while thehybrid EV fares quite a bit better. But the benefits will be compromised when everybody has one. The results will be that the power demand peaks will happen at unpredictable times as the timed charging systems wait for the cheapest recharge time. When that time arrives suddenly a whole lot of high power chargers will switch on and suddenly the power demand will jump. In a system with demand controlled rates, that might trigger a string of turn-offs, and possibly a system oscillation, if the reduced demand lowers the rates again. So the situation of rechargingh the EVs overnight is not that very simple if everybody gets one.

Reducing consumption by developing more efficient habits is one of the few methods that will work every time, but it is vital that the information is presented correctly, since it is just as easy to teach and learn inefficient habits. This will be a real challenge, given the large number of folks who just don't understand technical details and the even larger attention impaired folks who can not possibly concentrate long enough to learn anything. If they are unable to focus long enough tomhear a sentence then how can they possibly learn anything at all? Does anyone have any ideas about how to deal with that very real problem?

Thanks for your well written primer on this complex and critical subject. I believe continued development of such Sustainable Energy Production Technologies as well as Combined Heat/Power and widespread means to interconnect & manage such sources via Distributed Generation topologies are all critical to the future of our own modern society - as well any future we may envision to raise the standard of living for everyone else on the planet. The ramifications range from the international stage right down to the individual - each and every one of us.

A few weeks ago, Ford Motor Co. quietly announced that it was rolling out a new wrinkle to the powerful safety feature called stability control, adding even more lifesaving potential to a technology that has already been very successful.

It won't be too much longer and hardware design, as we used to know it, will be remembered alongside the slide rule and the Karnaugh map. You will need to move beyond those familiar bits and bytes into the new world of software centric design.

People who want to take advantage of solar energy in their homes no longer need to install a bolt-on solar-panel system atop their houses -- they can integrate solar-energy-harvesting shingles directing into an existing or new roof instead.

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